6th Sunday of OT Year A

There was a research done that was based on the idea that children crave structure and routine.


The research mentions some benefits of having structures and routines within the home. The first benefit of a structure within the home is that it makes the child feel safe and secure. Secondly, it helps the child to learn about self-control and self-discipline. Thirdly, it reduces stress and anxiety because they know what is to be expected of them. Through Structure and routine, children learn how to behave properly. They are also familiar with the consequences of their actions. From this research, it is benefiticial to have structure and routine within the home.


Today, God's word focuses upon the law and commandments. Like a good parent, Almighty God gives us laws and commandments. They are the structure on how we are operate and conduct ourselves. So that we may be faithful in conveying our love for God, and be at peace with one another. Also, that we may operate accordingly in the manner that God orders all creation. And because we belong to Almighty God in Christ Jesus.

But The Lord Jesus Christ takes it one step further. Because he was accused of violating the Sabbath, and other cleasing rituals, he assured the people: “I've come not to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law.”


St. Augustine once said that the 10 commandments are lacking only because it is written on stone tablets, and not the human heart. It is by grace and mercy from eternal Son that the commandments of God are written on the human heart. So that it is not just observing in an exterior manner, but to align the heart with the exterior rituals and actions. The Lord challenges the disciple to develop a genuine heart, to be a person of integrity. It is to have a heart free of lust, envy, greed or malice of any kind.


The Responsorial Psalm prayer is: “Blessed is the man whose way is blameless and who walks in the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who observes his decrees.” Those who observe God's laws and commandments are truly blessed and happy.





Some of our children, who are in the first Holy Communion Class, will be going to confessions for the first time this week. It is a good practice for them at a young age to have a daily examination of conscience, to listen to the inner voice, which is God's voice. Going to Confessions will help them a young age to discern whether they are staying within the structures of God's order.


Over time, as we mature, sometimes self-rationalization may keep us from hearing God's voice speaking through the conscience. That is why it is good to have a daily examination of conscience, striving to hear the voice of Almighty God, who allows us to see the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. So that we may change accordingly.


Every night before you go to bed, after your night prayer or devotion, spend some time in silence, examine your conscience. Have I done something that disrespected God or offended someone today? Why did I do that? Is my heart aligned with my actions? What can I do tomorrow to reconcile my mistakes from yesterday. I should go to confessions as soon as possible, so that I can make things right with Almighty God.







What happens as we mature, we can be carried away by our self-rationalization. When I no longer hear God's voice. I only hear my own reasons as to what I think is right or wrong, good or evil. Sometimes I may do something I think is perfectly alright but in reality, I have an erroneous conscience, or an error in conscience.


There was a helpful analogy that I came across awhile back. In this analogy, there is an elephant in dark room. Three people were asked to observe this elephant in the dark room. Because they couldn't see the elephant, they were only able to touch parts of the elephant.


One person, who touch the leg of the elephant, was so convinced that it was a tree, and he confidently told the research interviewer that it was a tree. The second person, touched the side of the elephant and confidently told the interviewer that he was touching a large boulder. The third person, after touching the elephant's tail, believed that he was touching a snake. All three were convinced of their observations as truth. That is until the truth was revealed to them.







When we abide to God's commandments, and Christ's law of love and mercy, it conveys three things: (1) our belonging to God, (2) delight in knowing that God's commandments are good that helps feel secure and safe, knowing the difference between good or evil, right and wrong (3) and that we are living within the context of eternity. Actions and manner of conduct must be done in preparing for the Heaven, to be with Almighty God for all eternity.




“Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. Give me discernment, that I may observe your law, and keep it will all my heart. Amen.